The exact location of Hegu point is, on the back of the hand, between the 1st and 2nd metacarpal bones, when the midpoint of the radial side of the second metacarpal bone; the depth of needle insertion at Hegu point is usually 0.5 to 0.8 inches straight.
Hegu acupoint is mainly used for treating fever, headache, redness and swelling of the eyes, epistaxis (nosebleed), sore throat, toothache, deafness, swelling of the face, stagnation of the mouth in stroke, absence of sweating in febrile diseases, excessive sweating, thirst, jaundice, dysmenorrhea, menstrual closure, stagnant labor, and so on.
Clinically, Hegu point is used with cheek car point and Yingxiang point to treat toothache, facial pain, facial paralysis, cold, headache, fever, nasal congestion; and with Taichong point to treat headache, vertigo, hypertension, etc. Pregnant women are forbidden to use Hegu point.
Pregnant women are prohibited from needling Hegu point. The tip of the needle should not be biased toward the side of the wrist, so as not to puncture the network of veins on the back of the hand and the deep palmar artery and cause bleeding.
If needling Hegu point, it needs to be operated by a professional doctor.